1)

Why was Hashem so impressed by Shlomo's answer?

1.

'Rashi' (Divrei ha'Yamim II, 1:11): Only one with Yir'as Shamayim would ask for this - "Sechezeh mi'Kol ha'Am Anshei Chayil Yir'ei Elokim" (Shemos 18:21).

2.

Malbim: If one told someone 'you may have a gem worth 1000, or a Sefer Torah worth 30, with a gem in it, surely he will take the latter! Through Chachmah, one gets also wealth, honor and long life ("Orech Yamim bi'Yminah?" - Mishlei 3:16) and victory in war ("Tovah Chachmah mi'Klei Kerav" - Koheles 9:18). Shlomo knew this at the time, like Shir ha'Shirim Rabah (1:9) says, 'I will ask for the king's daughter (Chachmah), and everything is included'! Hashem was impressed because Shlomo desired the Chachmah only to be able to judge Yisrael. 1

3.

Malbim (Divrei ha'Yamim II, 1:11): It was not due to what Shlomo requested in the dream. The ideas that come on a man's Ru'ach during a dream are not based on intellect and choice. Rather, what he requested in the dream, his heart was always thinking about this when he was awake.


1

The Midrash implies that he was interested also in the other matters that one receives via Chachmah! (PF)

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